Utah Food Safety Practice Test

Using the ice-point method for calibrating thermometers, what temperature should it read in ice water?

1. 0 degrees Fahrenheit

2. 32 degrees Fahrenheit

3. 100 degrees Fahrenheit

4. 212 degrees Fahrenheit

The correct answer is: 32 degrees Fahrenheit

When using the ice-point method to calibrate thermometers, the expected reading in ice water should be 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the ice-point method is based on the physical properties of water, specifically its freezing point at standard atmospheric pressure. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), water transitions from a solid (ice) to a liquid state, making it a reliable reference point for calibration. This method is crucial for ensuring that thermometers provide accurate readings, especially in food safety practices where temperature control is vital for preventing foodborne illnesses. When a thermometer reads 32 degrees Fahrenheit in ice water, it indicates that the device is accurately measuring temperature at a critical reference point. Other temperature values listed do not correspond to the freezing point of water under normal conditions: 0 degrees Fahrenheit is well below the freezing point, while 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 212 degrees Fahrenheit represent boiling water and a high thermal state that are not relevant for ice-point calibration.